Kaizer Chiefs star goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has admitted that lack of game-time with Amakhosi cost him Bafana Bafana’s number one jersey, but vowed to bounce back.
“I lost my number number one spot and I need to be playing at club level in order for me to get it back,” Khune told Gagasi FM Sports.
He was speaking on his current situation at Chiefs where he is behind the pecking order, with Bruce Bvuma the current trusted pair of safest hands for coach Arthur Zwane.
Khune said it was not easy getting the nod in the starting line up from a pool of equally good goalkeepers such as Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Peterson and Bontle Molefe.
“Competition is tough and we have to support the ones that are playing and I will work as much as I can. I will keep pushing.
“Bruce is doing well and we have to back him up, Brandon Peterson is also there and there is Molefe.
“So, we have the best goalkeeping department in the country. Competition is tough but I will keep working hard and I will bounce back soon,” he added.
The former Bafana Bafana number one insisted that he still has many years remaining in his career.
He was responding to a question on whether he was planning to venture into coaching soon now that he has started getting goalkeeping coaching badges.
“That is what I want to do, to transfer my skills to the youngsters in the future, but I am not saying I am going to retire any time soon. Like I say, Gigi Buffon is turning 45 and I am 35. I still have a long way to go,” Khune said.
“Like I said, in order to reclaim by Bafana Bafana jersey, I have to play at the club level. I am happy that Bruce is our number one now and he is also representing the club in the national team and that is what makes me happy.”
Khune was making reference to former Juventus ageless custodian Gianluigi Buffon who is still playing this time around at Serie B side Parma in a career spanning over 28 years.
The World Cup winner also played for PSG in France before returning to Juventus then Parma where he previously spent 10 years.
